WSDOT - SR 539 - I-5 Improved Access - March 2007 Quarterly Project Report

SR 539 - I-5 Improved Access
*Quarterly Project Report Update for Quarter Ending March 2007*

Project Title & Location SR 539 - I-5 Improved Access Project Bellingham, Washington	Project Description We are studying traffic patterns on the Guide Meridian (SR 539) and evaluating ways to relieve congestion, enhance safety and improve freight mobility on the Guide Meridian, north of the I-5 interchange.
Contractor/Consultant Consultant Team: H.W. Lochner, DKS Associates, and, EnviroIssues
Recent Progress This project is being coordinated with the I-5 Fairhaven to Slater Interstate Master Plan which will result in a long range plan to address needed improvements along the I-5 corridor between Fairhaven (milepost 250) and Slater Road (milepost 260). The analysis of current and future (2035) traffic conditions has been completed. Concurrent with this analysis, three alternatives to enhance safety, relieve congestion, and improve freight mobility on SR 539, between the I-5 interchange and Smith Road, were selected for initial evaluation. A report of those findings is now available to the public through the contact information posted on the project webpage. In Phase Two of the Interstate Master Plan project, additional strategies will be developed and evaluated that address the safety, congestion and freight mobility needs of the corridor. Phase Two work begins in May 2007.
Design Construction Impacts This project is funded for planning-level analysis and design only. There are no design construction impacts anticipated at this time.
Environmental Impacts / Compliance This project is funded for planning-level analysis and design only. There are no environmental impacts or compliance issues anticipated at this time.	Impacts to Traffic There will be no impacts to traffic during the course of work on this planning-level project.

Project Milestones	Scheduled	Attained	Milestone Outlook
Phase One: Indentify existing and future corridor needs	December 2006	April 2007	Phase One analysis completed April 2007. A report of the Phase One findings will be published and available to the public in May 2007.
Phase Two: Develop and analyze options to address corridor needs	March 2008		Phase Two work will commence in May 2007 with completion targeted for April 2008.

Project Cost Summary:	Dollars in millions	Percent of Total	Planned vs. Actual Expenditures (Total Project Cost)
Preliminary Engineering	$2.0 m	100%
Right-of-Way	$0.0 m	0%
Construction	$0.0 m	0%
Funded Project Costs	$2.0 m	100%

Nickel funds included in above costs	$2.0 m	100%
2005 Transportation Partnership Account

For more information, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects

Project Cost Summary reflects the March 2006 Approved Legislative Supplemental Budget